Grand Puy Lacoste 1999

Tasted in Bordeaux. What a fabulous Pauillac! It has stunning definition on the nose with scents of blackberry, fresh raspberry, a touch of iodine, cedar and graphite. The palate is beautifully balanced with perfect acidity: not a complex Pauillac wine but so effortless and graceful. It encapsulates everything great about 'classic' Bordeaux that is so damn drinkable that a bottle is finish all too soon. I may have underrated this little gem in the past. Wonderful! Tasted August 2011.

This deep ruby/purple-colored 1999 has some tannin to resolve, but it is an elegant, medium-bodied, delicious effort that will reward readers who have the patience to cellar it for several years. It is not a blockbuster in the style of the 2000 or 1996, but the 1999 offers charming roundness, sweet cassis fruit, excellent purity, and fine overall balance. It should last for 16+ years.